Rupert I, Elector Palatine

Rupert I, Elector Palatine (9 June 1309-16 February 1390) was Count Palatine of the Rhine from 1353 to 1356 (succeeding Rudolf II) and Elector Palatine from 10 January 1356 to 16 February 1390 (preceding Rupert II.

Biography
Rupert von Wittelsbach was born in Wolfratshausen, Bavaria, Holy Roman Empire on 9 June 1309, the son of Duke Rudolf I of Bavaria. With the death of his brother Rudolf II in 1353, he inherited his domains and became the sole Count of the Palatinate. In 1356, he was made an Imperial elector, creating the Electoral Palatinate. In 1386, Rupert founded Heidelberg University, the third university in the empire and the oldest current university in Germany (formally named "Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg" in his honor). He died in 1390 and was succeeded by his nephew Rupert II.